Smoking banned at outdoor rec centres

Council votes unanimously to ban smoking from outdoor spaces where people bike, skate, play ball and walk around.

Halifax council voted Tuesday to ban smoking at outdoor recreation
facilities where children tend to congregate, including ball fields,
beaches, pools and skateboard parks. Violators face a potential $500
fine.

The ban will be implemented in about two months, as signs
designating the smoke-free areas are posted, and a "social marketing"
campaign informing residents of the ban will be rolled out over the
next two to four years. All told, the ban will cost between $100,000
and $200,000, said city staffer Peter Bigelow.

Despite some concerns---councillor David Hendsbee considered the ban
"heavy-handed" and councillor Jerry Blumenthal worried that blind
smokers wouldn't see the new signs---council voted unanimously in
favour of the ban.